Thought our local birders might want to be aware of this recent incident
at
Niagara, as explained by our Ontario friends...
Bob Hinkle, Chief of Outdoor Education
Cleveland Metroparks
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"85 Years of Conservation, Education, and Recreation"
*******************************************************************
On Behalf Of
Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter
Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2004 7:47 PM
To: Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter; NYSBirds; OntBirds; Geneseebirds
Subject: Birding the Niagara River - HEADS UP!
If you are planning to bird the Niagara River on the American side, then
you
need to read this. NOTE: this is not a joke!
Today, Dean DiTommaso and I walked Bird Island Pier in Buffalo, in
search of
the recently reported Willet. Bird Island Pier starts at Squaw Island
and
runs south, parallel to the NY shore and 200 yards out. It crosses
under
the Peace Bridge (the bridge between the US and Canada) and continues
for a
total one-way length of about 1.5 to 2 miles. We were a little beyond
the
very end of the pier, studying the Willet for some five minutes, when
three
Buffalo Police Officers walked up to the end of the pier. One drew his
gun
and shouted to us, "Put your hands in the air and walk slowly toward
us!" He
then repeated his demand. We left our scopes where they were and did as
ordered.
Apparently, someone reported that two people were filming the Peace
Bridge.
Obviously, we were not but is that a crime? (Rhetorical question.) We
eased their concerns very quickly after providing ID and telling them
what
we were doing. Nevertheless, they told us that we had to go back to the
beginning of the pier with them because there were people there who
wanted
to talk to us. Upon returning to the start of the pier, we noticed
about 8
vehicles, mostly Buffalo P.D. but also the Border Patrol and perhaps
some
unmarked vehicles. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard was patrolling the water
keeping an eye on us during the entire affair. All told, there were
probably 15 law enforcement personnel involved. We were also told that
the
FBI was on the way.
After waiting some 45 more minutes, they requested to search my vehicle.
Since I wanted to get out of there and continue birding on this fine
weather
day, I let them. Finally, they decided we could go. But first, we had
to
go through the TV interview - Channel 7.
The Border Patrol gave me a card, suggesting that birders phone them
when
they are going to be out on the pier or anywhere near one of the
international bridges. Obviously, you don't have to do this since you
have
every right to bird but it could save you some hassle. (It's the scopes
that make them nervous.) Here are the numbers:
Border Patrol:
Local - (716) 447-3942
Toll-free - (800) 331-0353
Email - [log in to unmask]
Good birding!
Willie
--------------
Willie D'Anna
Betsy Potter
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
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************************************************************************
****
Casey Tucker
Education Specialist
Audubon At Home
Audubon Ohio
692 N. High St., Suite 208
Columbus, Ohio 43215-1585
Phone: (614) 224-3303 ext. 15
Fax: (614) 224-3305
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www.audubonohio.org
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